This section is catered for travellers planning a trip to Malacca from Kuala Lumpur. While there’s a limited number of public transportation to the UNESCO-listed town, it’s one of the most visited holiday destinations in Malaysia thanks to its unique culture, historical significance, antiquated shophouses, and vibrant street markets.
Malacca doesn’t have an airport, so visitors from neighbouring states and Singapore mostly travel here by bus, car, or join a tour from Kuala Lumpur. As the town is busiest during weekends and holidays, be sure to book your transport and accommodation well in advance.
Bus
The easiest way of getting to Malacca is by bus, as Kuala Lumpur is served by Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), where you can find numerous bus operators offering trips to southern regions such as Malacca, Johor, and even Singapore.
Located in Bandar Tasik Selatan, this modern terminal is a 30-minute drive from the city centre but you can also take the LRT, KTM, and KLIA transit trains. Buses to Malacca run daily every 30 minutes between 07:00 and 23:00, with fares priced at RM15 upwards for a one-way trip. The journey typically takes about 2 hours, depending on traffic – the earlier the departure time, the less likely you’ll get stuck in traffic.
If you’re departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the Transnasional bus company offers limited daily trips to Malacca so we highly recommend checking the bus schedule in advance. From the airport, it’s a 2½ hour-long journey to TBS, followed by a two-hour-long bus ride to Melaka Sentral Bus Terminal.
How to Get to Jonker Street from Melaka Sentral
Set along Jalan Tun Razak, Melaka Sentral is the town’s main public transport hub, serving taxis and buses travelling within Melaka as well as from Singapore and Malaysia. Malacca Raya and Jonker Street are about 5 kilometres away, but there are plenty of taxis and public buses available at the terminal
We highly recommend taking the public bus as it drops passengers off at the iconic Dutch Square, located just opposite Jonker Street. Look out for Bus #17 at Melaka Sentral, which departs every 30 minutes daily. Tickets cost about RM1.50 for a one-way trip.
Malacca City Full-day Tour
Joining a Malacca City Full-day Tour is ideal if you’re pressed for time but want to explore this historical town during your holiday. Priced at RM152 per adult, you get to enjoy a comfortable roundtrip transportation from your hotel in KL City Centre, a comprehensive tour of Malacca City with an English-speaking guide, as well as admission fees to notable landmarks within the town. Lunch is also provided, which comprises classic Peranakan dishes at a prominent restaurant before you’re free to shop for antiques, handicrafts, traditional clothing, and other trinkets at Jonker Street.
